The overriding temptation, when seeing some guy (usually a guy with a mustache -- why is that?) rolling down the sidewalk on a Segway, is to shake one's head and ponder how any self-respecting adult could be caught dead or alive on such a dorky looking machine.

Of course, that superior feeling usually only lasts until one actually gets a chance to try riding one for him/herself. Then the derisive laughter turns to a sort of wonder, accompanied by the obligatory query, "How the hell do these things work, anyway?"

The question we've been asking ourselves lately, however, is how in the world did we miss out a while back on the introduction of a concept ride, vaguely similar in theory to the Segway, called The Embrio, a one-wheeled motorcycle from Bombardier that looks like it could orbit the Earth, whip up a banana-yogurt smoothie, and blow in the doors of an IROC Z -- all at the same time.

As Bombardier poetically put it when the company rolled out the idea a few years back:

"The Embrio concept is a recreational and commuting vehicle that uses gyroscopic and electronic technology. It is a means of transportation, as well as a way of enjoying transportation as a positive activity. The main power source is a hydrogen fuel cell. In stand-by configuration, the vehicle's front wheels deploy to the ground like a jet plane landing gear to increase longitudinal stability. Thus stabilized, the Bombardier Embrio looks perfectly at home in the urban landscape, displaying the beauty of its sculptural lines until it's time to go for a ride."

Wheels that "deploy to the ground like a jet plane landing gear to increase longitudinal stability"? 

Sexier words have rarely been uttered! (Or scribbled in a press release.)

Again, we acknowledge that we're coming a little late to the Embrio party, but as motorcycle and Schwinn Stingray fans who, as kids, dreamed of being able to ride around in a state of perpetual, high-speed wheelie-ness, we feel that the concept smacks of genius.